36 UNASKED ADVICE. 



to some to know that a good imitation is procurable by a 

 good judge who will pay for liis fancy. Whether or not 

 a fresh infusion of Arab blood would benefit our racers 

 is a point not likely to be settled as long as really well- 

 bred Arabs are not imported here; but I cannot but 

 think that our saddle-horses,, and troop-horses especially, 

 would be improved by it. There are men, and lots of 

 them — some decent judges, too, of English horses — who 

 can be persuaded that any under-sized long-tailed animal, 

 particularly if he be a grey, and in possession of all his 

 faculties, is an Arab. Think of the brutes brought over 

 by officers after the Crimean war, which were dignified 

 with the name of Arabs, and whose numerous faults were 

 brought forward in evidence against the real son of the 

 desert. A Turkish pony is a good beast ; his feet and 

 legs are capital, his appetite good (often better than 

 his temper), and he is an enduring sort of slave ; but the 

 best of them cannot hold a candle even to an inferior 

 Arab horse. The well-bred Arab is an example per se. 

 For his apparent size there is more of him physically, 

 and more spirit, gameness, and strength, than in any 

 other horse. If well bred, he is much more likely to be 

 under than over 14 J hands ; but when on him you don^t 

 feel as if on a pony. His head is a picture by itself — so 

 fine at the muzzle as to make the cheeks look almost 

 coarse ; the nostrils wide, eyes prominent, mild, but bold.; 

 with little ears that, seen alone, could be taken as bail for 

 .the family of the owner. The neck is strong and mus- 

 cular, without being heavy or "beefy,^'' and the head 

 nicely put on. Shoulders well laid back, looking rather 

 thick, and none the worse for that when nice and free at 

 the points. Girth deep, and back ribs of enormous 

 depth; so big are all the ribs as to make the saddle- 



